Tonight, I found myself in Bondi Junction for the screening of SYD2030. An award winning, locally produced and funded web-series, SYD2030 is the Eastern Suburbs’ answer to Gossip Girl, only you don’t hate yourself for getting so into this guilty pleasure. At the screening this evening, I got talking to producer Suzie Smith about how
Norwegians know how to make good music, just listen to Röyksopp or Kings of Convenience. I’ve discovered that they really know how to produce quality folk music like my new iPod obsession Jonas Alaska, introduced to me by my fine Norwegian friend! At 22 Jonas is already signed to Norwegian indie label Jansen Plateproduksjon, had
Released in July, Crooked Teeth marks the glorious return of Melbourne post-hardcore outfit House Vs Hurricane. The band ripped the scene to shreds with their synthy break-downs and bass drops back in 2008, something we’d all heard in bands like The Devil Wears Prada, but seeing the same noise come out of a local band
Sydney’s MENISCUS have recently wrapped up their first European tour – here’s the final instalment of guitarist Dan Oreskovic’s tour diary (following on from Part 1 and Part 2). GENEVA (8/7/12) I woke up at a service station, about an hour outside of Milan. I was really groggy, so I just stood outside the van,
I was very lucky to score a couple of last minute tickets for W.A.R! (We Are Rockstars), one of the new events being held during the Mallorca Rocks music festival in the Balearic Islands. I was in Mallorca one year ago and didn’t have the opportunity to check out Mallorca Rocks as I was here
Melbourne’s House Vs. Hurricane have become one of Australia’s most successful musical exports. Since their inception with 2008’s Forfeiture, the band was one of the first in Australia to mix metal with synth overtures successfully, many had done it before but few managed to stick around. That was of course followed by Perspectives, the band’s
Since their debut album Sink or Swim back in 2007, The Gaslight Anthem have grown stronger and stronger with each release. Out of their solid back catalogue, none of their releases have been as watched out for as Handwritten, given frontman Brian Fallon’s admission that following their previous release, American Slang, he was worried that
For a while now, Aftermath have kept a fairly low profile in the Sydney scene, well I suppose there’s not much room here for a big profile, but you know what I mean. My point is, these cats needn’t worry about it anymore as the release of Their Legacy, Your Burden has seen them, at
I have started my travels in Italy: land of pizza, pasta, vino and some of the most breathtaking places on earth. Here, ‘Danza Kuduro’ and non-decript dance music seems to be king among the 20+ age group, who blast it from their pimped-up cars whilst driving down the streets of Northern Italy. I know… However,
American heavy rockers CITY OF SHIPS are heading to Australia for the first time in July and August, touring with post metal giants ROSETTA. Their sound is a blend of atmospheric grooves with frenetic metal riffs. Eric Jernigan answered a few questions ahead of the tour. Prog Blog: This is your first visit to Australia; what
Following on from their adventures last week (read here), Sydney instrumental rockers MENISCUS bring us Part 2 of their European tour diary. PRAGUE (30/6/12) Driving into the Czech Republic, we witnessed some of the most picturesque scenery on this tour to date. Arriving at Rybanaruby, we’re greeted by Alex, the promoter/sound guy, and his three
This blog has lay dormant for quite some time now, and whether it be because I’ve been super busy and just haven’t got round to do anything, or possibly because I just didn’t have anything more to say, it doesn’t really matter. I’m back now, we’re alive, and I thought we’d start off on something
Mikhael Paskalev is a half Norwegian/Bulgarian export who makes upbeat, folksy rock that is sure to get toes tapping. His single I Spy has gathered some 500,000+ hits on YouTube, although I think that’s mostly down to the “smash Ikea” fantasy most of us dream of. Paskalev will release a full-length album later in the year, but
Sydney instrumental rock legends MENISCUS are in the midst of their debut European tour, hitting 9 countries across 3 weeks. I asked guitarist Dan Oreskovic to keep us a tour diary to give folks back home a glimpse of what life on the Euro-road is like for an underground band… So far, it’s been hijinx
Perth’s KARNIVOOL have gone from strength to strength since forming out of high school in 1997. They are now firmly established as Australia’s biggest progressive rock act (and indeed, one of the country’s most successful bands of any ilk). With 2 gold albums (2005’s Themata and 2009’s Sound Awake) and a successful touring history that
One of the more unique assests of Melbourne is our tram system. In my experience Sydneysiders in particular are mesmorised with Melbourne trams, especially the now-famous 86 towards Northcote, thanks to The Bedroom Philosopher (yes, whenever I board it I can’t help singing ‘riding around on the 86…’ very quietly to myself). What would make Melbourne’s world-famous trams more
Chicago’s Russian Circles are heading back to Australia and New Zealand this September and October for their second tour here (and for the second year in a row). The experimental metal trio’s massive live sound and solid work ethic has earned them a dedicated live following around the world, with their latest release, 2011’s Empros,
Obscure Band: check From Brooklyn: check 2+ Music Videos: check Here We Go Magic are the next in a proud line of Brooklyn bands I’ve written about. Lead by a guy called Luke Temple, Here We Go Magic combine melodic indie rock with some folk and occasional 80’s post-punk. Luke released solo material before being
Clairy Browne & the Bangin’ Rackettes – She Plays Up To You I popped by Pure Pop Records recently with a friend (local Melburnians would know this hidden gem no doubt) for a Sunday Sesh fix. For those who haven’t yet been, this place is so multi-faceted, the front of the venue is a funky,
As is weird as it is for me to think that it was 10 years ago, on my 12th birthday, that I was given one of my first-ever albums, the then fresh and groundbreaking Sticks and Stones, imagine the energy in the NGF camp knowing that it’s been 15 years since their first-ever live performance.
